U.S. patent number 4,340,991 [Application Number 06/058,294] was granted by the patent office on 1982-07-27 for demountable hinge.
Invention is credited to Edward D. Gidseg.
United States Patent |
4,340,991 |
Gidseg |
July 27, 1982 |
Demountable hinge
Abstract
A demountable hinge is disclosed for mounting a door to a frame.
The hinge is particularly suitable for cabinets such as kitchen
cabinets and includes a first section, and a second section
pivotally attached to the first section to provide rotative hinge
action. The first section includes a generally rectangular tab
portion which has a button-like projection upstanding from one side
and is dimensioned to be received by a correspondingly configured
receiver strap securable by screws to the frame. The receiver strap
is constructed of resilient material and includes an aperture which
is dimensioned and located to receive the button-like projection in
resilient snapped engagement to retain the first section on the
frame. The second section may either be adjustably fastened
directly to the door by screws of the like, or it may be
demountably attached to the door in a manner similar to that used
to mount the first section to a frame. The various embodiments
incorporate several different features for retaining the door and
the associated hinge section in the "closed door" position, which
features are relatively uncomplicated, inexpensive to manufacture,
and aesthetically pleasing to the eye, a factor which is
significant in hinges utilized for kitchen cabinets. The hinge of
the present invention simplifies the assembly of kitchen cabinets
and doors and makes it possible for suppliers to offer greater
selections of different styles of cabinets and doors while
permitting them to stock a greater number of cabinets and doors of
differing styles and colors.
Inventors: |
Gidseg; Edward D. (Great Neck,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
22015907 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/058,294 |
Filed: |
July 17, 1979 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/254;
16/321 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05D
5/046 (20130101); E05D 5/065 (20130101); E05D
7/123 (20130101); Y10T 16/535 (20150115); E05Y
2600/53 (20130101); E05Y 2900/20 (20130101); Y10T
16/5402 (20150115); E05D 2007/0476 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05D
7/12 (20060101); E05D 7/00 (20060101); E05D
5/00 (20060101); E05D 5/04 (20060101); E05D
001/06 (); E05D 007/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;16/149,158,181,187 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Shedd; Wayne L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pennie & Edmonds
Claims
I claim:
1. A hinge for mounting a door or the like to a frame or the like,
which comprises:
(a) first receiver means attachable to the frame, said first
receiver means including guide means to position said receiver
means with respect to the frame;
(b) a first hinge section defining a tab portion, said tab portion
being configured for mating engaged reception by a portion of said
receiver means to facilitate selective engaged attachment and/or
detachment with respect to the frame;
(c) second receiver means attachable to the door;
(d) a second hinge section pivotally attached to said first hinge
section, said second hinge section defining a tab portion
configured for mating engaged reception by a portion of said second
receiver means to facilitate selective engaged attachment and/or
detachment with respect to the door;
(e) resilient spring means positioned for engagement with at least
one of said first and second sections to retain the hinge in at
least one of an open and closed door position, said resilient
spring means being positioned to engage at least a portion of at
least one of said hinge sections to retain the sections in at least
one of open and closed door relative positions; and
(f) at least one of said first and second sections defining a
portion in an area adjacent the pivot axis raised away from
adjacent portions of the other section to facilitate pivotal
rotation of at least one section with respect to the other section
to prevent interference of the sections.
2. The hinge according to claim 1 wherein said tab portion of said
second section is generally rectangular and defines at least two
apertures approximately equally spaced from the major plane of
rotation of the hinge for reception of fastener members such as
screws or the like to attach said tab portion to the door.
3. The hinge according to claim 1 wherein said tab portion of said
second section is generally rectangular and includes means to
facilitate engaged reception thereof within said receiver means
secured to the door.
4. The hinge according to claim 3 wherein said receiver means
securable to said frame is in the form of a strap device having a
generally raised mid portion for reception of the tab portion of
said first section, said strap device defining at least two
apertures for reception of fastener members such as screws or the
like to secure said strap to said frame.
5. The hinge according to claim 4 wherein said strap device defines
at least one aperture positioned in the mid portion thereof.
6. The hinge according to claim 5 wherein said tab portion of said
first section of said hinge defines a raised portion positioned for
reception into said generally centrally located aperture of said
receiver means for selective engaged attachment and/or detachment
with respect to the frame.
7. The hinge according to claim 6 wherein said tab portion of said
first section defines at least two apertures for reception of
fastener means such as screws or the like, said apertures being
generally elongated in a direction to facilitate adjustment of the
location of said tab portion with respect to the frame.
8. The hinge according to claim 7 wherein said receiver means of
said first section defines at least two apertures for reception of
fastener members such as screws or the like, said apertures being
generally elongated in a direction to provide selective adjustment
of the position of said receiver means with respect to the
frame.
9. The hinge according to claim 8 wherein said tab portion of said
second section defines at least two apertures approximately equally
spaced vertically from the major plane of rotation of the hinge
extending through the interface between the sections, for reception
of means such as screws or the like, said apertures being generally
elongated to facilitate adjustment of the position of said tab
section with respect to the door.
10. The hinge according to claim 9 wherein said resilient means is
resilient spring material dimensioned, positioned and configured to
be resiliently engaged by at least one of said first and second
sections.
11. The hinge according to claim 10 wherein said resilient means is
in the form of a resilient spring attached to at least one of said
first and second sections and positioned to engage at least a
portion of the other section and to retain the other section in at
least one of a closed door and open door position.
12. The hinge according to claim 11 wherein said spring material is
configured as a strap having a raised portion positioned,
dimensioned and configured to progressively engage and disengage at
least a portion of the other section when at least one of said
hinge sections is pivotally rotated with respect to the other
section.
13. The hinge according to claim 12 wherein said resilient means is
in the form of a strap comprised of a spring material, said strap
being positioned between said first and second sections and secured
in position by said pivot pin and said resilient means further
including a portion which is dimensioned and configured to
progressively engage and disengage a correspondingly configured
portion of one of said first and second sections when said section
is pivotally rotated with respect to the other section.
14. The hinge according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said
first and second sections is constructed of a resilient material
and a portion thereof is configured to resiliently and
progressively engage and disengage a correspondingly configured
raised portion associated with the other section to resiliently
retain the hinge in at least one of an open door and closed door
position.
15. The hinge according to claim 14 wherein said second section is
constructed of resilient spring material configured to
progressively resiliently engage and disengage a correspondingly
raised arcuate portion of said first section when said second
section is pivotally rotated with respect to said first
section.
16. The hinge according to claim 15 wherein said second section is
constructed of spring steel tempered to provide cooperative
resilient engagement and disengagement with said raised portion
associated with said other section.
17. The hinge according to claim 16 wherein said second section
defines a relief cutout portion to relieve the spring portion of
said resilient material when the spring portion engages the raised
portion associated with said first section.
18. The hinge according to claim 10 wherein said first and second
sections are constructed of a resilient material and are configured
and dimensioned to progressively resiliently engage and disengage
each other to retain the hinge in at least one of an open door and
closed door position.
19. The hinge according to claim 18 wherein one of said first and
second sections defines a raised portion dimensioned, positioned,
and configured to resiliently engage and disengage a
correspondingly positioned recessed portion associated with the
other section so as to retain the hinge in at least one of an open
door and closed door position.
20. The hinge according to claim 19 wherein said pivot pin is in
the form of a rivet which retains said first and second sections in
pivotal attached relation.
21. The hinge according to claim 20 wherein at least one ring-like
washer is positioned about said rivet and between said first and
second sections to retain said first and second sections in pivotal
rotational relation.
22. A self-latching hinge for pivotally mounting a cabinet door to
a cabinet frame which comprises:
(a) a first hinge leaf section;
(b) a second hinge leaf section attached to said first hinge leaf
section by a pivot pin for pivotal rotation relative thereto;
(c) receiver means in the form of a platelike member of resilient
spring material securable by fastener means such as screws to the
frame and defining an aperture;
(d) a tab portion secured to, or forming part of said first section
for selective removable, snapped reception by said resilient
receiver means so as to facilitate selective mounting and/or
demounting of said first section with respect to the frame, said
tab portion having a button-like member upstanding therefrom and
being configured, positioned and dimensioned for resilient engaged
reception by an aperture defined to said receiver means for
retaining said tab portion and first section affixed to the
frame;
(e) a tab portion connected to or forming part of said second
section;
(f) means to removably attach and/or detach said second section
with respect to the door; and
(g) resilient means fixed with respect to said first section and
positioned and dimensioned for progressive resilient engagement by
said second section when said second section is pivotally rotated
between positions corresponding to closed and open door positions,
said resilient means and said second section being configured and
dimensioned to cooperatively engage with each other at least to
retain said second section and the door in the closed door
position.
23. The hinge according to claim 22 wherein said resilient means is
in the form of a strap constructed of spring steel, said strap
being positioned and secured between said first and second sections
and having a generally raised portion dimensioned and configured to
engage a correspondingly configured raised portion of said second
section for cooperative engagement therewith when said second
section is pivotally rotated relative to said first section and at
least for retaining said second section in a position corresponding
to a closed door position.
24. The hinge according to claim 23 wherein said raised portion of
said spring strap is arcuately configured and said correspondingly
configured raised portion of said second section is arcuately
configured such that when said second section is pivotally rotated
relative to said first section the engagement between said arcuate
portion of said second section and said arcuate portion of said
spring strap is such as to bias said second section and the door
toward the closed door position at least when the door approaches a
predetermined location with respect to the closed-door position,
and to retain said second section and the door in the closed door
position.
25. The hinge according to claim 24 wherein said first and second
sections are constructed of sheet spring steel and each of said tab
portions defines a raised button-like portion for removable
insertion and retention within a correspondingly configured
receiver strap defining a generally central aperture for reception
of the corresponding raised button like portion.
26. The hinge according to claim 25 wherein each of said tab
portions define a pair of apertures positioned approximately
equidistantly from the major pivotal plane of the hinge extending
along the interface between said sections, said apertures being
provided for reception of fastener means such as screws or the like
to retain the tab portion to the corresponding frame or door.
27. The hinge according to claim 26 wherein said pair of
equidistantly spaced apertures are elongated in predetermined
directions to facilitate selective positioning of said first
section with respect to the frame and said second section with
respect to the door.
28. The hinge according to claim 27 further comprising a ring
member positioned about said pivot pin and between said first and
second sections to facilitate relatively smooth pivotal rotation of
said second section relative to said first section.
29. The hinge according to claim 27 wherein said ring member is
constructed of nylon.
30. The hinge according to claim 29 wherein said first section
defines a portion adjacent said pivot pin which is raised upwardly
from said second section to facilitate pivotal rotation of said
first section with respect to said second section without
interference therebetween.
31. A versatile self latching demountable knife-type hinge for
pivotally mounting a cabinet door to a cabinet frame which
comprises a first leaf section constructed of sheet steel and
including a tab portion having a button-like member upstanding from
one surface, a second leaf section constructed of sheet steel and
attached to said first leaf section by pivot pin means for pivotal
motion relative thereto, said second leaf section including a tab
portion having a button-like member upstanding from one surface, a
resilient member constructed of spring steel and positioned between
said first and second leaf sections, said spring member defining at
least one generally arcuate spring portion dimensioned, configured
and positioned for interfering resilient engagement with a
correspondingly configured and dimensioned portion of said second
leaf section when said second leaf section is rotated relative to
said first leaf section and at least to assist by resilient
engagement, the movement of said second leaf section toward the
closed-door position, and to bias said second leaf section in the
closed door position, a first receiver strap securable to the door
and configured for reception of said tab portion of said second
leaf section, said receiver strap being constructed of spring sheet
steel and having a raised generally central portion, said generally
central portion defining an aperture for engaged resilient
reception of said button-like member of said tab portion of said
second leaf section to at least retain said second leaf section
removably secured to the door, a second receiver strap securable to
the frame and configured for reception of said tab portion of said
first leaf section, said receiver strap being constructed of spring
sheet steel and having a raised generally central portion, said
generally central portion defining an aperture for engaged
resilient reception of said button-like member of said tab portion
of said first leaf section to at least retain said first leaf
section removably secured to the frame, such that said hinge is
selectively removably securable to the door and the frame, at least
one of said first and second leaf sections defining a portion in an
area adjacent said pivot pin raised away from the other section to
facilitate pivotal rotation of at least one section with respect to
the other section to prevent interference of the sections.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a demountable hinge for mounting a door
to a frame. In particular, this invention relates to a demountable
hinge for mounting cabinet doors which provides versatility and
symmetry which is not available with present-day hinges.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventional hinges which are utilized to affix a door to a frame,
are generally attached to the frame and to the doors with the use
of standard fasteners such as screws or bolts or the like, and are
usually dimensioned to be utilized with a specific type of frame
and door. For example, a kitchen cabinet is generally comprised of
a combination of one of several typesof cabinet frames--i.e. with
or without a front stile--and one of several types of doors--i.e.
either complete overlay or recessed from the end portions of the
cabinet. The hinges which are used with such cabinetry are usually
designed for a specific combination and purpose, thus minimizing
the versatility which would otherwise be desirable not only from
the standpoint of the end user, but also from the standpoint of the
manufacturer, the wholesaler, the retailer, and the installer. For
example, most present-day hinges which are constructed for left
hand doors are generally not usable for mounting right hand doors
and vise versa.
Variations in manufacturing styles and tolerances have long
provided a significant deterrent with respect to the possible
development of a hinge which would be readily and optionally
mountable and demountable with respect to the cabinet frame or door
(or both) with a minimum amount of major adjustment being required
when a door is actually assembled with a cabinet. Manufacturers and
suppliers of kitchen cabinetry have generally been required, out of
necessity, to stock many types of cabinets and many types of doors
either wholly or partially assembled so as to satisfy the
particular needs and whims of their numerous potential customers.
Such excesses in cabinet stocks are generally quite space consuming
and expensive and the elimination of such requirements would be
particularly desirable for a plurality of economic and practical
reasons.
Attempts have been made to standardize hinge construction for the
purpose of avoiding the problems heretofore described and to
accommodate high-capacity cabinet constructions. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,423,786 to Arias, Jr., et al. is directed to a cabinet
hinge having separable hinge leaves wherein first and second hinge
leaves are hingedly connected through a connector portion of the
second hinge leaf. The connector portion extends perpendicularly
from the hinged connection and provides a free end which is spaced
therefrom. A second hinge leaf mounting portion is formed with an
opening and outwardly covering channel therein, complementary to
the connector portion for endwise slidably receiving the connector
portion free end therein, substantially outwardly covered thereby
and with resiliently engageable detent means therebetween to retain
the assembly.
While the hinge described in the '786 patent may reduce somewhat
the problems heretofore described concerning the manufacture and
marketing of kitchen cabinetry, this hinge does not eliminate a
sufficient number of these problems significantly enough to
substantially affect, in a positive manner, the manufacturing and
marketing of kitchen cabinetry. In particular, it will be
appreciated that the hinge of the '786 patent does not provide the
dual multi-directional symmetry and consequent versatility which
would make it possible to mount and demount any combination of a
plurality of types of cabinet frames and doors in any number of
desired arrangements. In particular, it should be noted that the
'786 patent describes a "pin-type" hinge, the major portion of
which is permanently mountable to the cabinet frame, while one leaf
thereof is removably mountable to the door by means of a mounting
portion 36.
In addition, it should be noted that with most hinges which are
presently available to the consumer, including the hinge described
in the '786 patent, the pivot position of the hinge is usually
fixed by screws with respect to the door, thus limiting the
combination of cabinets and doors which may be matched,
notwithstanding the fact that the color or design of the door may
be varied to some degree. Another inconvenience in present day
hinges is provided by the fact that the dimension of the door can
not be changed to achieve the necessary symmetrical effect of the
door, both visually and functionally, in relation to the frame.
Also, since, particularly in the case of kitchen cabinets, it is
desirable (and often necessary) that the door be biased toward, or
at least be actually held in, a closed position, many manufacturers
place a magnet and matching metal plate on the cabinet frame and
door, respectively. Alternatively, some manufacturers utilize a
bullet clip or other holding device to retain the door in the
closed position. In other instances hinge manufacturers have
utilized various types of expensive and bulky devices including
springs, pistons etc. to hold the door of a cabinet in a closed
position or to bias the door toward the closed position once it has
been moved slightly in the appropriate direction. In essence the
provision of such convenience has been inherently difficult and
expensive, particularly in the manufacture of kitchen cabinets
primarily because of the severe space and aesthetic limitations
which are inherent in their design. I have invented a hinge which
avoids the aforementioned disadvantages of the present day
hinges.
SUMMARY
A hinge is disclosed for mounting a door or the like to a frame
which comprises, a first section, a second section pivotally
attached to the first section, means associated with the first
section and dimensioned and configured to be selectively attached
to and/or detached from the frame by engaged reception by receiver
means mounted on the frame, and means to attach the second section
to the door.
According to a preferred embodiment, my invention relates to a
self-latching hinge for pivotally mounting a cabinet door to a
cabinet frame which comprises a first hinge leaf section, a second
hinge leaf section attached to the first hinge leaf section by a
pivot pin for pivotal rotation relative thereto, receiver means in
the form of a plate-like member of resilient material securable by
fastener means such as screws and defining an aperture, a tab
portion secured to, or forming part of the first section for
selective removable reception by the receiver means so as to
facilitate selective mounting and/or demounting of the first
section with respect to the frame, the tab portion having a
button-like member upstanding therefrom and being configured,
positioned and dimensioned for resilient engaged reception by an
aperture defined by the receiver means for retaining the tab
portion and first section affixed to the frame. My inventive hinge
also comprises a tab portion connected to or forming part of the
second section, means to removably attach and/or detach the second
section with respect to the door, and resilient means fixed with
respect to the first section and positioned and dimensioned for
progressive resilient engagement by the second section when the
second section is pivotally rotated between positions corresponding
to closed and opened door positions. The resilient means and the
second section are configured and dimensioned to cooperatively
engage with each other at least to bias and retain the second
section and the door toward the closed door position.
My inventive hinge may optionally be utilized with or without
receiver means to affix or fasten the hinge to the door. Since the
same hinge may be used without such receiver means, in such case
the hinge section is secured directly to the door by suitable
screw-type fasteners. In addition, it should be noted that in the
case of cabinets such as kitchen cabinets, the provision of
receiver means for reception and retention of the hinge section in
fixed relation at least with the frame, allows the cabinet to be
manufactured without the need for immediate assembly, while at the
same time, permitting the end-user or installer to install the
doors on the cabinet readily and easily once the selected receiver
means is placed in position. Thus, in cases where the receiver
means has been installed, the remaining installation procedure
merely involves snapping several components together, with a
minimum or no tools being required, while storage of the cabinets
and doors separately and neatly is clearly facilitated.
One embodiment of my invention permits one section of the hinge to
be directly affixed to the door by means of screws or the like,
while the other section may be readily attached to the frame by
merely snapping it into a receiver plate mounted to the frame. Thus
by affixing by screws the "door" section of the hinge directly to
the door, it is possible to provide a selection of hinges to the
consumer which selection offers a variety of distances between the
pivot axis and the location of attachment to the door so that the
size and style of the door may thus be varied. Since basic kitchen
cabinetry seldom changes the present approach reduces the
possibility that a particular type of cabinet will become obsolete.
It should be noted that this particular convenience affords
additional flexibility when the hinge section is secured to the
door by receiver means as well.
Although the preferred embodiment of my hinge is in the form of a
"knife" or "scissors"-type hinge, it is possible to practice my
invention with a "pin"-type hinge. Knife type hinges, however,
provide several advantages, the major of which is their ability to
be concealed or recessed into a groove or slot provided in the
door. Further, knife-type hinges are generally less costly to
manufacture. In addition, by taking into consideration all possible
design factors, it is readily possible to construct a hinge of the
"knife" type such that the installation dimensions are relatively
symmetrical at least with respect to the major plane of rotation
passing through the interface between both sections, thereby
eliminating the need for specific designs in the hinge to
accommodate "right-hand" and "left-hand" doors. This arrangement is
possible whether or not both hinge sections are affixed to the door
and/or frame by receiver means.
In addition the hinge of my invention incorporates several unique
features to maintain the door of a cabinet in the "closed-door"
position. Also, to a certain degree, they provide a "self-closing"
feature, particularly when the door is moved somewhat toward the
closed position. To this end it will be seen that my hinge provides
"hold-closed" and bias forces with respect to the "closed-door"
position while utilizing a minimum amount of material and a limited
amount of space, while providing such features at a minimum
cost.
In one embodiment, for example, a spring plate device is positioned
between the two pivotally connected sections of the hinge and
arranged to cooperatively engage one section when the section is
rotated with the door. The spring plate is maintained in fixed
relation with the stationary section. A bump is provided on the
stationary hinge section and a receiver aperture is provided in the
spring plate for reception of the bump so as to prevent the spring
plate from rotating with the rotatable hinge section. Other
techniques for retention of the spring plate are also contemplated,
such as, for example, the provision of end flanges on the spring
plate to grip the stationary section of the hinge. By incorporation
of such an intermediate plate of spring steel, it has been found
that intermediate washers, such as nylon washers, need not be used
to improve rotative action, since spring steel is harder and
smoother than other steels and thus tends to minimize the friction
which may otherwise be apparent between the sections of the hinge
when one of them is rotated relative to the other.
In another embodiment of my inventive hinge, the section of the
hinge which attaches to the door and rotates therewith, is
configured and slotted in such a fashion as to engage a "bump" or
correspondingly configured arcuate portion provided on the section
which is secured to the frame. The functional result of this
structural arrangement is that an attractive force is provided
which draws the door toward the closed position at least when the
door reaches a predetermined position relative to the cabinet,
while a correspondingly shaped relief is provided to receive the
"bump" and thereby retain the door in the "closed" position. In
this embodiment it is also desirable to construct the rotative
hinge section of spring steel which is ultimately appropriately
tempered to provide spring properties.
By embedding a nylon (or other) roller with a spring behind the
stationary section of the hinge and by appropriately shaping the
appropriate portion of the other section, the other section will
engage the roller when it is rotated. By reversing this arrangement
and placing the "bump" on the stationary hinge at the front of the
cabinet area, and the roller on the moving arm, a similar result
may be achieved.
Because the receiver means of my invention may be provided for both
the cabinet frame and the door (as well as for the cabinet alone),
and the receiver means is preferably in the form of a receiver
strap, the same receiver strap may be constructed to accommodate
any type of hinge, including "knife" or "pin" types, or exposed or
concealed types. Thus it is now possible for a manufacturer to
deliver a cabinet by delivering cabinet frames separately from
cabinet doors. Optionally, receiver straps may be provided on both
cabinets an doors, thus reducing considerably the task of ultimate
assembly. Even with receiver straps in position, doors and cabinet
frames may be stored with a minimum of space.
Another feature of the present invention is that it may be utilized
with any type of cabinet construction. For example, present day
hinges are generally designed for a particular type of cabinet. One
type of cabinet may have a flush frame front and another type may
have a separate front frame (or stile). In the former arrangement,
the front of the cabinet frame functions as the frame to which the
hinges are affixed, and in the latter arrangement, a front frame,
or "stile" is actually affixed to the cabinet and the hinges are
attached to the stile. According to the present invention, a
cabinet having no separate front stile can accept a full overlay
door (i.e. the sum total of the door widths equal the width of the
frame), in the same fashion that a cabinet having a front stile may
be made to accept a full overlay door by merely selecting the
appropriate hinge having the requisite dimension between the pivot
axis of the hinge and the location of the receiver means.
Alternately, with the hinge of the present invention, either type
of cabinet may be made to accept a door or doors of lesser size,
thereby selectively exposing portions of the frame front as
"margins" which appear uniformly about the doors.
By constructing the receiver means of my invention in the form of a
plate or strap which may receive a tab portion of a hinge section
from either direction, and by constructing the hinge in a generally
symmetrical fashion about the major plane of rotation extending
between the sections, it will be appreciated that a given hinge may
be used for attaching a right hand door or a left hand door to a
cabinet or frame by merely reversing the orientation of the
hinge.
In addition, by constructing the receiver in the form of a plate
for attachment to a frame with forward guide tabs for engagement
with the frame, the actual task of alignment of the receiver plate
with either frame or front stile (as the case may be) is relatively
simplified. Since no such guide tabs are required or necessary with
the receiver plate which is securable to the door, the manufacturer
may either provide separate types of receiver plates, or it may
optionally provide receiver plates which include frangibly attached
(and thus removable) guide tabs such that one type may readily be
converted to the other type. Alternatively the guide tabs may be
capable of penetrating the door material, thus obviating the need
for removal thereof.
A preferred construction of my invention is embodied as a versatile
self latching demountable knife-type hinge for pivotally mounting a
cabinet door to a cabinet frame which comprises a first leaf
section constructed of sheet steel and including a tab portion
having a button-like member upstanding from one surface, a second
leaf section constructed of sheet steel and attached to the first
leaf section by pivot pin means for pivotal motion relative
thereto, the second leaf section including a tab portion having a
button-like member upstanding from one surface, a resilient member
constructed of spring steel and positioned between the first and
second leaf sections, the spring member defining at least one
generally arcuate spring portion dimensioned, configured and
positioned for interfering resilient engagement with a
correspondingly configured and dimensioned portion of the second
leaf section when the second leaf section is rotated relative to
the first leaf section and to assist by resilient engagement, the
movement of the second leaf section toward the closed-door
position, and to bias the second leaf section in the closed door
position. A first receiver strap is securable to the door and is
configured for reception of the tab portion of the second leaf
section, the receiver strap being constructed of spring sheet steel
and having a raised generally central portion, the raised generally
central portion defining an aperture for engaged resilient
reception of the buttonlike member of the tab portion of the second
leaf section to at least retain the second leaf section removably
secured to the door. A second receiver strap is securable to the
frame and is configured for reception of the tab portion of the
first leaf section, the receiver strap being constructed of spring
sheet steel having a raised generally central portion, the raised
generally central portion being configured and defining an aperture
for engaged resilient reception of the button-like member of the
tab portion of the first leaf section to at least retain the first
leaf section removably secured to the frame, such that the hinge is
selectively removably securable to both the door and the frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described herebelow
with reference to the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet utilizing my inventive
hinge, and illustrating alternative arrangements for attachment of
the hinge to the cabinet and to the door;
FIG. 2 is a view, partially in cross-section, of the hinge shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view, partially in cross-section, taken along lines
3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view, partially in cross-section, of the hinge of FIG.
3 in the "closed-door" position;.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below, partially in
cross-section, of another embodiment of the hinge of the present
invention in the "open-door" position;
FIG. 6 is a view, partially cut away and partially in
cross-section, of the hinge of FIG. 5 in the "closed-door"
position;
FIG. 7 is a bottom view, partially cut away and partially in cross
section of the hinge of FIG. 6 mounted on a cabinet having its door
in the open position;
FIG. 8 is a view taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a view of still another embodiment of the hinge of my
invention mounted on a cabinet having its door in the open
position;
FIG. 10 is a view, partially in cross-section, taken along the
lines 10--10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a view, partially in cross-section, of the hinge of FIG.
10 in the "closed-door" position; and
FIG. 12 is a view, partially in cross-section, of still another
embodiment of the hinge of my invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the description which follows, and throughout the present
specification, my inventive hinge is described particularly with
respect to kitchen cabinets having doors which are mounted to
frames in the form of front "stiles". However, it should be
understood that my invention may also be utilized with doors of any
type which are mountable to, and demountable from, any type of
frame, including cabinet frames having no front stiles, permanently
mounted doors for ingress into, and egress from, a building
structure, or any other doors including such seasonally used doors
such as screen doors which may be desirably selectively removed
during off seasons.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a typical cabinet 10
having front doors 12, each mounted to forward frame (or "stile")
14 by two hinges 16 and 18, constructed according to my invention.
In FIG. 1, the upper hinge shown mounting the left hand door,
illustrates one embodiment of my invention wherein a single
receiver strap is utilized to removably attach one hinge section to
the frame, and wherein the other section of the hinge is attached
to the door by conventional fasteners such as screws. The lower
hinge 18 illustrated in FIG. 1 is identical in all respects to the
upper hinge shown except that in this embodiment two receiver
straps are utilized; one receiver strap to removably attach one
section of the hinge to the frame, and a second receiver strap to
removably attach the other section to the door.
Although both embodiments in FIG. 1 are interchangeable, the
receiver strap associated with the frame of the cabinet preferably
contains optional guide tabs 24 to fixedly locate its position with
respect to the frames as shown. For use of receiver strap 20 on the
door, the tabs 24 may be constructed to penetrate the door
material, or they may be frangibly attached so that when they are
removed, the receiver strap 20 is identical in all respects to the
receiver strap 22 associated with hinge 18 and door 12. Also,
although the lower hinge illustrated in FIG. 1 provides additional
versatility in that the entire hinge is mountable and demountable
selectively by use of receiver straps 22 and 24, the upper hinge
provides substantial convenience to the assembler or installer in
the respect that only one section of the hinge must be attached to
the door by screws or the like, and the other section is
conveniently quickly mountable and demountable with respect to the
cabinet by merely removing the hinge from the receiver strap. As
will become readily apparent from the detailed description which
follows, the hinge of my invention eliminates the complexities
previously encountered in marketing, storing, assembling and
installing cabinets and associated doors. Specifically, my hinge
provides substantial economy by minimizing the storage space
requirements and available combinations of cabinets and doors of
numerous styles, colors, and the like and makes it possible to
provide the consumer with a wider selection of cabinet frames and
doors at significantly reduced cost.
Referring once again to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIGS. 2-4, hinge
18 will now be described. Hinge 18 includes first section 26
mounted to the cabinet frame 14 and second section 28 pivotably
attached to the first section by rivet 30. First section 28 is
attached to door 12 and is constructed of spring sheet steel
appropriately tempered to provide spring properties and is
configured to include an arcuate or rounded portion 32 configured
and dimensioned to engage and disengage a correspondingly
dimensioned "bump" 34 provided on second section 26 to bias the
door toward the closed-door position at least after bump 32 passes
over the center position in engagement with bump 34. When section
28 is rotated toward and away from the "closed-door" position,
engagement between bumps 32 and 34 takes place and a relief cutout
36 permits spring portion 32 to resiliently move toward and away
from bump 34. An arcuate cutout 38 is provided to positively engage
bump 34 to act as a detent to retain section 28 in the
"closed-door" position as shown in FIG. 4. Although first section
26 need not be constructed of spring steel, it may be desirably be
so constructed. With spring steel material in both sections, the
surfaces thereof are harder and smoother than other materials and
thus provide smooth rotational interaction between the sections. In
addition, spring steel provides excellent wear characteristics,
particularly where this is desirable in the area of bump 34.
Alternately it may be desirable to include a nylon washer (not
shown) between the sections and positioned about the rivet 30 to
facilitate smooth pivotal rotation of one section relative to the
other.
Referring now to FIG. 2, section 26 includes a tab portion 40
having apertures 42 and 44 spaced approximately equidistant from
the major plane of rotation of the hinge (i.e. extending between
the sections and medially between buttons 46 as they appear in FIG.
2) and a raised button-like portion 46 having a slanted upper
surface as shown more clearly in FIG. 3. Similarly, section 28
includes a tab portion 48 having similarly spaced apertures 50 and
52. Each tab portion 40 and 48 is resiliently received and retained
on the respective frame 14 and door 12 by resilient receiver straps
20 and 22 respectively, constructed of resilient spring sheet steel
having appropriate apertures for reception of suitable screws.
Particularly receiver strap 40 defines apertures 54 and 56 for
reception of screws 62, the apertures being elongated in a vertical
direction to facilitate vertical adjustments of the receiver strap
and tab portion 40. Similarly, receiver strap 22 defines apertures
58 and 60 for reception of screws 62, the apertures being elongated
in a horizontal direction to facilitate a further adjustments
between the strap 22 and the door 12 relative to the frame 14.
Receiver straps 20 and 22 are respectively secured to the frame 14
and door 12 by screws 62 and tab portions 40 and 48 are thus
retained in position by the snapped engagement of buttons 46 with
the receiver straps and by the reception of the buttons 46 within
apertures 45 and 47 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. If desired,
additional securement may be provided by screws 64 which further
attach receiver straps 20 and 22 as well as tab portions 40 and 48
to their respective frame or door; however it should be emphasized
that to practice the present invention, screws 64 are not
necessary. Also, additional alignment or locater apertures 66 are
provided in straps 20 and 22.
Referring to FIG. 2, apertures 42 and 44 are preferably equidistant
from the major plane of rotation. In addition it is noted that by
merely varying the distance (measured along a horizontal line in
FIG. 2) between the pivotal axis of rotation A--A and the vertical
axis B--B passing medially through apertures 50 and 52 (as well as
through button 46 of tab 48) the type of cabinet door useable with
a particular cabinet frame may be varied between a full overlay
arrangement and an arrangement providing a marginal space of
selected width about each door. This effect is the result of
varying the location of the pivot axis relative to the door and the
distance between axes A--A and B--B will determine the amount of
margin which will appear around the doors.
One section 26 is preferably configured to have a portion 26a
adjacent the pin 30 raised away from the other section to
facilitate unobstructed rotation of one section relative to the
other as is illustrated in FIG. 2.
This prevents undesired interference between surface portions of
the first hinge section 26 and the second hinge section 28.
In practice, the cabinet 10 may be stored for sale with or without
doors 12, and hinges 18 may either be installed on the doors, on
the cabinet, or they may be packaged separately, with receiver
straps 20 and 22 installed as shown, for attachment by the
assembler or installer when the cabinet is delivered. The hinges
are symmetrical and thus reversible and the same hinge may be used
for right-hand or left-hand doors by merely reversing the
orientation of its sections. When receiver strap 22 is not
provided, the hinge 18 is identical to hinge 16 shown in FIG. 1 and
tab portion 48 will be attached directly to the door by screws 68
as shown in FIG. 1.
Hinges 16 and 18 as shown are of the "knife" or "scissors" type
whereby rivet 30 of each hinge and its surrounding hinge portions
become hidden in a door notch or groove 70 as shown in FIG. 1. This
hinge may be used with any type of cabinet--i.e. with or without a
front stile--or with any types of doors--i.e. complete overlay of
the front face of the cabinet, or margined or any combinations
thereof.
FIGS. 5-8 illustrate another embodiment of my invention which
includes first section 72 and second section 74 attached for
relative pivotal rotation by rivet 76. Tab portions 78 and 80 are
similar or identical to the corresponding tab portions 40 and 48 of
the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 and include identically spaced and
configured apertures 82 and 84 as shown for the reception of
screws, as well as respective buttons 86 and 88 for reception into
correspondingly positioned and dimensioned apertures provided in
receiver straps of the type shown in FIGS. 1-4.
Referring again to FIG. 5, section 74 includes a rounded protruding
portion 90 dimensioned and configured for resilient engagement with
a separate spring plate 92 having a correspondingly positioned
arcuate spring portion 94 simultaneously appropriately raised and
relieved for spring movements and to bias the hinge section 74
toward the "closed-door" position as shown particularly in FIG. 6.
Spring plate 92 is retained between the sections 72 and 74 by rivet
76 as shown in FIG. 8 and it is preferably restrained from rotation
with the sections by a raised portion 96 forming part of section 72
and received in aperture 98 of spring plate 92 as shown clearly in
FIG. 8. It will be readily observed that the hinge of FIGS. 5-8 may
be functionally selective by virtue of the fact that the distance
from the button 88 to the pivot axis may be selective depending
upon the style of door selected. As in the hinge of FIGS. 2-4, the
hinge of FIGS. 5-8 is reversible and may be used for left hand or
right doors and may be provided with one receiver strap such as
hinge 16 of FIG. 1 or with two receiver straps as with hinge 18 of
FIG. 1. Because of the provision of separate spring strap 92,
neither of the hinge sections, 72 or 74, need be constructed of
spring steel, and may be constructed of a relatively less expensive
sheet steel. Thus a relatively inexpensive hinge is provided which
is easily biased toward the "closed-door" position without the need
for the relatively complex structures which are utilized in present
day hinges.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-11 there is illustrated still another
embodiment of the present invention. Hinge 100 is identical to the
hinges previously described except that the hinge is constructed to
bias the door toward the "closed-door" position by the fact that
both sections 102 and 104 of the hinge are matingly constructed of
spring steel and are structured to engage each other by the
interaction of raised button 106 and a correspondingly configured
recess 108 and curved progressively deepening groove 110 when one
section is rotated relative to the other. As shown, the recess 108
and groove 110 are so configured to bias the hinge and door toward
the "closed-door" position once it is rotated toward that position.
Because it is necessary to provide a desirable amount of resistance
to relative rotation, selectively dimensioned relief cutout grooves
112 may be provided to reduce the frictional engagement and
interengagement between the hinge sections 102 and 104 as the door
and one section 102 of the hinge is rotated. In addition since
frictional and resistance forces in the hinge of FIG. 9 depend
somewhat upon the type and weight of door which is mounted,
depending upon circumstances and desired parameters, relief cutouts
112 may be selectively increased in length in-situ to reduce the
resistance to rotation of section 102. As shown in FIG. 9, a nylon
(or other suitable material) washer 114 may optionally be provided
to reduce any resistance to rotation of section 102 relative to
section 104. Since sections 102 and 104 area preferably constructed
of spring steel which is hardened and relatively smooth, it will be
appreciated that the sections 102 and 104 of hinge 100 will
encounter reduced resistance to rotation as a result of their
material of construction.
Referring now to FIG. 12 still another hinge 115 is illustrated
which is identical in all respects to the previously described
hinges, but which provides a bias force toward the "closed door"
position by alternate means. Hinge 115 has sections 116 and 118
which are constructed of sheet steel with separate spring 120
dimensioned, configured and retained in fixed relation to section
116 for engagement and disengagement with a corresponding bump 122
forming part of section 116. Spring 120 is configured to
progressively engage and disengage bump 122 of section 116 when the
door 12 is rotated toward and away from the cabinet, but this
spring is also configured to bias and retain the door 12 toward the
closed door position as shown in FIG. 12. In all other respects the
hinge 114 of FIG. 12 is identical structurally and functionally to
the hinges previously described except that in the hinge in FIG.
12, a separate spring mechanism is provided to retain the door in
the closed position, a mechanism which is inexpensive, compact and
extremely pleasing to the eye.
It will be readily appreciated that my invention is not limited to
the embodiments as described, but may be practised effectively by
selected combinations of features of each of these embodiments.
Thus it should be understood that certain of the separate aspects
and features of each of the embodiments described hereinabove with
reference to the drawings may be combined effectively to construct
a hinge which is contemplated by my invention and that the scope of
my invention should be construed in accordance with the attached
claims.
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